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Economy of Saudi Arabia vs Vanuatu compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Saudi Arabia has a GDP of $1.24T compared to $1.12B for Vanuatu, ranking 18/197 and 188/197 by economy size, respectively.

Saudi Arabia has $324B in government debt (26.2% of GDP), compared to $507M (45.3% of GDP) in Vanuatu.

Saudi Arabia vs Vanuatu GDP by year

Saudi Arabia
Vanuatu
1x
Year GDP, current $
Saudi Arabia Vanuatu
2024 $1,239,804,533,333 $1,117,972,034
2023 $1,218,584,533,333 $1,115,861,056
2022 $1,239,075,200,000 $1,055,031,361
2021 $982,661,066,667 $950,394,007
2020 $767,951,200,000 $909,421,044
2019 $888,890,133,333 $936,526,268
2018 $886,564,800,000 $914,727,908
2017 $741,266,133,333 $880,043,284
2016 $689,279,466,667 $804,323,577
2015 $693,414,400,000 $759,690,181
2014 $787,153,066,667 $773,717,011
2013 $769,755,733,333 $758,304,466
2012 $751,921,333,333 $747,839,698
2011 $680,660,800,000 $770,153,588
2010 $528,207,466,667 $670,712,980
2009 $429,097,866,667 $592,622,319
2008 $519,796,800,000 $590,748,429
2007 $415,964,509,673 $516,392,923
2006 $376,900,133,511 $439,358,587
2005 $328,459,608,764 $394,962,433
2004 $258,742,133,333 $364,996,869
2003 $215,807,733,333 $314,471,413
2002 $189,605,866,667 $262,596,536
2001 $184,137,600,000 $257,926,882
2000 $189,514,933,333 $272,014,628
1999 $161,717,066,667 $268,006,973
1998 $146,775,466,667 $262,293,411
1997 $165,963,684,913 $272,771,209
1996 $158,662,483,311 $261,370,044
1995 $143,343,124,166 $249,333,250
1994 $135,174,899,866 $233,701,301
1993 $132,967,957,276 $200,491,853
1992 $137,087,850,467 $209,088,825
1991 $132,223,230,975 $201,334,169
1990 $117,630,173,565 $168,879,207
1989 $95,344,459,279 $154,013,202
1988 $88,256,074,766 $158,351,368
1987 $85,695,861,148 $139,464,174
1986 $86,961,922,765 $126,498,935
1985 $103,897,846,494 $131,856,421
1984 $119,624,858,116 $144,482,515
1983 $129,171,635,311 $117,389,554
1982 $153,240,313,858 $114,501,913
1981 $184,291,360,139 $113,781,796
1980 $164,539,660,725 $121,185,498
1979 $111,858,444,786 $119,258,835
1978 $80,266,516,687 -
1977 $74,188,986,586 -
1976 $64,005,665,722 -
1975 $46,773,208,643 -
1974 $45,412,957,746 -
1973 $14,947,435,499 -
1972 $9,664,267,087 -
1971 $7,184,806,909 -
1970 $5,377,333,333 -
1969 $4,485,777,644 -
1968 $4,187,777,711 -
1967 $3,257,022,223 -
1966 $2,920,555,557 -
1965 $2,647,955,558 -
1964 $2,371,808,713 -
1963 $2,207,393,172 -
1962 $2,130,606,532 -
1961 $1,920,811,284 -
1960 $1,748,124,064 -

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

GeoRank.org/economy/saudi-arabia/vanuatu | CC BY

GDP per capita in Saudi Arabia vs Vanuatu by year

Saudi Arabia
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Vanuatu
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Saudi Arabia Vanuatu
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $35,122 $71,375 $3,411 $3,606
2023 $36,157 $71,565 $3,483 $3,568
2022 $38,510 $71,968 $3,370 $3,453
2021 $31,921 $62,690 $3,107 $3,136
2020 $24,339 $47,518 $3,043 $3,118
2019 $29,567 $59,560 $3,207 $3,315
2018 $29,360 $59,378 $3,207 $3,233
2017 $23,929 $53,120 $3,160 $3,146
2016 $22,268 $49,937 $2,956 $3,030
2015 $23,256 $53,931 $2,855 $2,966
2014 $27,805 $62,578 $2,973 $2,890
2013 $27,865 $62,203 $2,980 $2,832
2012 $28,733 $65,034 $3,005 $2,834
2011 $27,127 $64,125 $3,163 $2,816
2010 $22,028 $58,829 $2,815 $2,733
2009 $17,718 $54,787 $2,546 $2,730
2008 $22,320 $57,236 $2,604 $2,701
2007 $18,596 $55,030 $2,334 $2,573
2006 $17,564 $54,639 $2,035 $2,496
2005 $15,976 $53,548 $1,874 $2,287
2004 $13,154 $51,225 $1,774 $2,157
2003 $11,487 $48,078 $1,567 $2,070
2002 $10,586 $45,466 $1,341 $1,995
2001 $10,805 $47,381 $1,350 $2,125
2000 $11,715 $48,644 $1,460 $2,206
1999 $10,452 $47,495 $1,472 $2,084
1998 $9,836 $48,867 $1,471 $2,091
1997 $11,545 $48,796 $1,562 $2,087
1996 $11,472 $48,569 $1,529 $1,998
1995 $10,786 $48,052 $1,492 $1,961
1994 $10,602 $48,904 $1,431 $1,946
1993 $10,885 $49,503 $1,257 $1,789
1992 $11,730 $50,355 $1,344 $1,777
1991 $11,847 $49,295 $1,326 $1,737
1990 $11,055 $46,214 $1,141 $1,670
1989 $9,414 - $1,067 -
1988 $9,165 - $1,125 -
1987 $9,386 - $1,017 -
1986 $10,078 - $946 -
1985 $12,745 - $1,012 -
1984 $15,541 - $1,137 -
1983 $17,810 - $947 -
1982 $22,454 - $946 -
1981 $28,703 - $962 -
1980 $27,206 - $1,048 -
1979 $19,612 - $1,055 -
1978 $14,914 - - -
1977 $14,595 - - -
1976 $13,313 - - -
1975 $10,266 - - -
1974 $10,503 - - -
1973 $3,640 - - -
1972 $2,474 - - -
1971 $1,929 - - -
1970 $1,509 - - -
1969 $1,313 - - -
1968 $1,276 - - -
1967 $1,032 - - -
1966 $961 - - -
1965 $904 - - -
1964 $840 - - -
1963 $812 - - -
1962 $813 - - -
1961 $760 - - -
1960 $718 - - -

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

GeoRank.org/economy/saudi-arabia/vanuatu | CC BY

Saudi Arabia's GDP per capita is $35,122, ranking 33/197, compared to $3,411 in Vanuatu, ranking 137/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Saudi Arabia ranks 24th at $71,375, while Vanuatu ranks 170th at $3,606.

Economic indicators

Saudi Arabia Vanuatu
Gross domestic product
$1.24T
2024
$1.12B
2024
GDP rank
18/197
2024
188/197
2024
GDP growth
2%
2023-2024
0.94%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$35,122
2024
$3,411
2024
GDP per capita rank
33/197
2024
137/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$71,375
2024
$3,606
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
24/197
2024
170/197
2024
Government debt
$324B
2024
$507M
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
26.2%
2024
45.3%
2024
Government debt per person
$9,185
2024
$1,546
2024
Government debt per person rank
58/185
2024
131/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$23,076
2026
$3,164
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$2.73T
2024
n/a
Number of millionaires
351,855
2025
n/a
Number of billionaires
15
2025
n/a
Income share by richest 10% n/a
24.7%
2019
Income share by poorest 10% n/a
3%
2019
Government expenditure, % of GDP
29.6%
2024
41.1%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
1.69%
2023-2024
11.2%
2022-2023
Central bank interest rate
4.25%
2025
n/a
Unemployment rate
3.52%
2024
4.05%
2020
Population
36734925
344750

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Saudi Arabia
Spending

Debt
Vanuatu
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Saudi Arabia Vanuatu
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 29.6% 26.2% 41.1% 45.3%
2023 28.3% 23% 41.6% 41.8%
2022 25.3% 21.3% 42% 42.8%
2021 28.2% 25.5% 44.4% 48.5%
2020 37.4% 29.7% 43.4% 48%
2019 31.8% 20.3% 39.8% 45.1%
2018 32.4% 16.8% 33.3% 45.3%
2017 30.9% 15.9% 37.1% 52.6%
2016 33.3% 12.2% 35.2% 42.5%
2015 38.5% 5.47% 42.4% 36.3%
2014 38.6% 1.5% 23.3% 20.2%
2013 34.5% 2.08% 22.9% 18.6%
2012 32.5% 2.97% 24.5% 19.3%
2011 32.4% 5.31% 25.1% 21.3%
2010 33% 8.43% 28.3% 20.2%
2009 37.1% 14% 27.6% 21.1%
2008 26.7% 12.1% 27.8% 21.2%
2007 29.5% 17.1% 22.5% 19.5%
2006 27.3% 25.8% 20.1% 22.2%
2005 28.2% 37.3% 18.3% 26.3%
2004 31.1% 62.9% 18.5% 30.4%
2003 33.1% 81.6% 18.8% 38.3%
2002 35.9% 96.4% 22.3% 38.8%
2001 36.9% 93.1% 22.3% 37%
2000 33.1% 86.7% 25.4% 36.1%
1999 30.3% 103% 23.9% 30.6%
1998 34.5% 101.5% 27.9% 28%
1997 35.6% 76.7% 22.2% 22.9%
1996 33.3% 75.2% 24.5% 23.1%
1995 32.4% 74.2% 28% 24.1%
1994 33.8% 67.9% 24.4% 21.6%
1993 37.7% 58.6% 26.2% 20.3%
1992 41.2% 47.8% 31.8% 21%
1991 34.9% 39.4% 33.2% 15.9%
1990 39.3% - - -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/saudi-arabia/vanuatu | CC BY

In 2024, Saudi Arabia's government spending was $367B, accounting for 29.6% of its GDP, while Vanuatu spent $459M, or 41.1% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 26.2% in Saudi Arabia and 45.3% in Vanuatu, ranking 163/185 and 119/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Saudi Arabia

Vanuatu
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Saudi Arabia Vanuatu
2024 -2.49% -2.34%
2023 -1.77% -0.95%
2022 2.24% -6.5%
2021 -1.99% 2.38%
2020 -10.2% -1.95%
2019 -3.96% 2.81%
2018 -5.21% 6.26%
2017 -8.57% -1.2%
2016 -13.2% -0.72%
2015 -14.9% -8.66%
2014 -3.4% 1.44%
2013 5.47% -0.25%
2012 11.7% -1.7%
2011 11.4% -2.19%
2010 4.39% -2.63%
2009 -5.38% -0.85%
2008 29.8% -0.04%
2007 11.8% 0.28%
2006 20.8% 0.49%
2005 18% 1.86%
2004 9.72% 0.8%
2003 1.2% -1.35%
2002 -5.91% -3.63%
2001 -3.91% -3.33%
2000 3.18% -6.28%
1999 -5.99% -0.55%
1998 -8.88% -6.65%
1997 -2.51% -0.51%
1996 -3.25% -1.78%
1995 -5.12% -2.59%
1994 -8.31% -1.49%
1993 -9.33% -3.67%
1992 -8.12% -2.32%
1991 -3.28% -2.81%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1991–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/saudi-arabia/vanuatu | CC BY

In 2024, Saudi Arabia's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $30.9B, equivalent to 2.49% of GDP. This compares to Vanuatu's deficit of $26.2M, or 2.34% of GDP.

Over the past 34 years, Saudi Arabia recorded a fiscal deficit in 22 of those years, while Vanuatu ran a deficit in 26 years. On average, Saudi Arabia posted an annual deficit equal to 0.18% of GDP, compared to deficit of 1.49% of GDP for Vanuatu.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Saudi Arabia

Vanuatu
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Saudi Arabia Vanuatu
2024 1.69% -
2023 2.33% 11.2%
2022 2.47% 6.68%
2021 3.06% 2.34%
2020 3.37% 5.33%
2019 -1.19% 2.76%
2018 2.47% 2.33%
2017 -0.83% 3.08%
2016 2.05% 0.84%
2015 1.22% 2.48%
2014 2.24% 0.8%
2013 3.51% 1.46%
2012 2.87% 1.35%
2011 5.83% 0.87%
2010 5.34% 2.76%
2009 5.06% 4.3%
2008 9.87% 4.84%
2007 4.17% 3.94%
2006 2.21% 2.04%
2005 0.48% 1.2%
2004 0.52% 1.42%
2003 0.61% 3.02%
2002 0.25% 1.96%
2001 -1.12% 3.58%
2000 -1.12% 2.54%
1999 -1.33% 2%
1998 -0.37% 3.28%
1997 0.06% 2.83%

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1997–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

GeoRank.org/economy/saudi-arabia/vanuatu | CC BY

Over the past 27 years, Saudi Arabia has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 2%, compared with 3.01% in Vanuatu. In 2023, inflation was 1.69% in Saudi Arabia and 11.2% in Vanuatu.

Balance of trade

Saudi Arabia Vanuatu
Current account balance
-$16.3B
2024
-$127M
2022
Current account balance ranking
180/190
2024
90/190
2022
Current account balance, % of GDP
-1.31%
2024
-12.1%
2022
Goods imports
$214B
2024
$350M
2022
Goods exports
$306B
2024
$73.6M
2022
Service imports
$125B
2024
$230M
2022
Service exports
$62.8B
2024
$78.5M
2022
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
25.6%
2024
54.2%
2022
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
29.1%
2024
9.43%
2022

Economic freedom indices

The indices of economic freedom below are issued by the Heritage Foundation. Higher scores indicate stronger economic health.

Saudi Arabia Vanuatu
Economic freedom 65.4 61.1
Economic freedom ranking 65/197 92/197
Property rights 51.4 62.1
Government integrity 52.7 48.3
Judicial effectiveness 38.2 67.9
Tax burden 99.2 96.9
Government spending 77 48.1
Fiscal health 97.9 78.8
Business freedom 71.2 50.3
Labor freedom 41.8 41
Monetary freedom 81.2 72.1
Trade freedom 73.8 62
Investment freedom 50 65
Financial freedom 50 40

Economic freedom comparison by year

Saudi Arabia
Vanuatu
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Saudi Arabia Vanuatu
2026 65.4 61.1
2025 64.4 61.8
2024 61.9 62.2
2023 58.3 62.1
2022 55.5 62.9
2021 66 60.5
2020 62.4 60.7
2019 60.7 56.4
2018 59.6 69.5
2017 64.4 67.4
2016 62.1 60.8
2015 62.1 61.1
2014 62.2 59.5
2013 60.6 56.6
2012 62.5 56.6
2011 66.2 56.7
2010 64.1 56.4
2009 64.3 58.4
2008 62.5 -
2007 60.9 -
2006 63 -
2005 63 -
2004 60.4 -
2003 63.2 -
2002 65.3 -
2001 62.2 -
2000 66.5 -
1999 65.5 -
1998 69.3 -
1997 68.7 -
1996 68.3 -

Data sources: The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1996–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09).

GeoRank.org/economy/saudi-arabia/vanuatu | CC BY

The Economic Freedom Index for Saudi Arabia is 65.4, ranking 65/197, compared to 61.1 for Vanuatu, ranking 92/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Saudi Arabia Vanuatu
Services, % of GDP
47.1%
2024
59.1%
2022
Industry, % of GDP
44.9%
2024
7.37%
2022
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
2.54%
2024
24.3%
2022
GNI, Atlas method
$1.26T
2024
$1.28B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$71,730
2024
$4,140
2024
Total reserves including gold
$464B
2024
$615M
2024
Total reserves ranking
7/177
2024
152/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
$6.27B
2024
-$9.21M
2022
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$21.3B
2024
$28.9M
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$27.6B
2024
$2.79M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI n/a
2.04%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines n/a
15.9%
2020
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
30.2%
2024
38.3%
2022

GDP per capita map

1x

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1985–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06); U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/saudi-arabia/vanuatu | CC BY

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Data sources:

  1. World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06)
  2. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  3. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1996–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09)
  4. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  5. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-03-10)
  6. LivingCost (2026, retrieved 2025-10-14)

Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY) — you’re free to copy, share, remix, adapt, and use even commercially as long as you give appropriate credit and clearly indicate if you made changes. Other sources may be subject to different license terms.

The current account balance is the sum of net trade in goods and services, net earnings from cross-border investments, and net transfer payments. It reflects a country's economic transactions with the rest of the world and is a fundamental component of the balance of payments. A surplus indicates that a country exports more than it imports, while a deficit shows the opposite.

Gross National Income (GNI) measures a country's total income. It encompasses income earned by residents, businesses, and foreign sources, defined as employee compensation and investment profits. GNI adds product taxes not included elsewhere and subtracts subsidies. It accounts for income from residents working abroad but excludes earnings from foreigners within the country.

A negative value for Net Foreign Direct Investment indicates a country is a net receiver of investments, as foreign inflows exceed outflows after Balance of Payments adjustments. A positive value indicates a net provider, with outflows exceeding inflows. Inflows are credits (increasing foreign claims on domestic assets), while outflows are debits (increasing domestic assets abroad).

Foreign direct investment (FDI, net inflows) shows how much capital foreign investors bring into a country after accounting for any funds that flow back in the opposite direction. It represents the net value of overseas companies establishing, expanding, or financing businesses in the reporting country. A positive number means more capital entered the country than was withdrawn, while a negative number means foreign investors pulled out more than they invested.

Foreign direct investment (FDI, net outflows) shows how much capital residents of a country invest abroad after accounting for any funds that flow back in the opposite direction. It represents the net value of domestic companies establishing, expanding, or financing businesses in other countries. A positive number means more capital was invested abroad than withdrawn, while a negative number means residents pulled back more than they invested.

Principal and interest payments to the IMF in currency, goods, or services on long-term debt expressed as a share of GNI.

Formerly gross domestic investment, gross capital formation measures the share of a country’s economic output invested in fixed assets, including buildings, machinery, and infrastructure. It indicates how much of the economy is devoted to building productive capacity.